LOST JEEPS :: View topic - Brake control installation

I'm picking up my Stone White Sport CRD this week and quickly installing my Tekonsha Sentinel Brake Control.

Has anybody installed a brake controller?(I would be shocked :shock:

if quite a few haven't)

Is there an ideal location that's worked for you? I'm 6'2" and hate banging my knees!

How about the physical connection? Is there a pigtail there waiting for me or will I need to splice?
Any typical pitfalls to look for?

Thanks in advance.
WWV

Haven't done this before, I'm a little unsure of myself so a little patience please. When you say

"IF you have the factory towing package, the "BRAKE" wire is located behind the driver side kick panel in a small white plastic box. It's flagged "BRAKE" so you can't miss it. The power and ground both run to the battery. And then lastly the brake switch light is spliced into the brown/white wire in the brake pedal harness. As far as mounting the unit itself...I put mine under the dash and it was fine for me (I'm 6'4") but it might not be fine for everyone there. Just pick a spot where you can get to it easily of course."

I have the following questions:
1) I see the white box with the plunger to turn the brake lights on and off. That's the one we're talking about for the brake switch light and the brown, white wire correct?

2) I'm not seeing the white box marked "BRAKE". I do see two white boxes bolted to the back of the fuse panel to my left. Can someone tell me exactly where this is?

3) Found plug next to steering column that was unused so I punched through my black/white power wires and will not have a problem routing to battery.....I should have a circuit breaker in there and not run directly to battery or is it ok to run straight to battery?

Thanks all in advance.
WWV

WWV -

Where did you end up mounting the controller? I was thinking in on the side between the parking brake handle and the 4WD handle might be out of the way of knees, etc.

I just got a brake controller to install. I see most mount them in front of the shifter or next to the steering wheel. Has anyone put one over the rear view mirror on the headliner? Is there a metal channel to screw into? then run the wires across and down the "A" piller. Any thoughts or suggestions?
William

3) There's a blank rubber plug to the right of steering column in the firewall that you can punch through to get power wires to battery and frame.

Author:	WWV [ Mon May 22, 2006 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Brake control installation
I'm picking up my Stone White Sport CRD this week and quickly installing my Tekonsha Sentinel Brake Control. Has anybody installed a brake controller?(I would be shocked if quite a few haven't) Is there an ideal location that's worked for you? I'm 6'2" and hate banging my knees! How about the physical connection? Is there a pigtail there waiting for me or will I need to splice? Any typical pitfalls to look for? Thanks in advance. WWV

Author:	Cowcatcher [ Tue May 23, 2006 10:06 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Brake control installation
WWV wrote: I'm picking up my Stone White Sport CRD this week and quickly installing my Tekonsha Sentinel Brake Control. Has anybody installed a brake controller?(I would be shocked if quite a few haven't) Is there an ideal location that's worked for you? I'm 6'2" and hate banging my knees! How about the physical connection? Is there a pigtail there waiting for me or will I need to splice? Any typical pitfalls to look for? Thanks in advance. WWV Here is one "How To": http://www.jeepkj.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1691 And another: http://www.jeepkj.com/forums/viewtopic. ... t=tekonsha

Author:	LibertyCRD [ Tue May 23, 2006 10:06 am ]
Post subject:
IF you have the factory towing package, the "BRAKE" wire is located behind the driver side kick panel in a small white plastic box. It's flagged "BRAKE" so you can't miss it. The power and ground both run to the battery. And then lastly the brake switch light is spliced into the brown/white wire in the brake pedal harness. As far as mounting the unit itself...I put mine under the dash and it was fine for me (I'm 6'4") but it might not be fine for everyone there. Just pick a spot where you can get to it easily of course.

Author:	SteveInMD [ Tue May 30, 2006 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:
I read the threads in the links above, but I'm a bit confused. I have the tow package. Do I still have to run power to the 7 pin socket for the trailer charging circuit? Or, is that already done? Do I need to order any Mopar harnesses, or just the brake controller?

Author:	LibertyCRD [ Tue May 30, 2006 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:
With factory towing package you shouldn't have to do anything except wire up your brake controller. Two wires under the dash and two to the battery and you are done. You Jeep should have come with the necessary adapters to plug your trailer into the socket on the back of your Jeep and make everything work.

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Brake control installation http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8820	Page 1 of 2

Author:	tazer [ Wed May 31, 2006 3:15 am ]
Post subject:
You CRD guys are lucky if you don't have to wire the 7 way. My 04 3.7 with factory tow package had to be wired all the way to the 7 way plug. Now my 04 Dodge 2500 came pre wired with the pig tail under the dash. That was so much easier.

Author:	WWV [ Wed May 31, 2006 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Brake installation-----help
Haven't done this before, I'm a little unsure of myself so a little patience please. When you say "IF you have the factory towing package, the "BRAKE" wire is located behind the driver side kick panel in a small white plastic box. It's flagged "BRAKE" so you can't miss it. The power and ground both run to the battery. And then lastly the brake switch light is spliced into the brown/white wire in the brake pedal harness. As far as mounting the unit itself...I put mine under the dash and it was fine for me (I'm 6'4") but it might not be fine for everyone there. Just pick a spot where you can get to it easily of course." I have the following questions: 1) I see the white box with the plunger to turn the brake lights on and off. That's the one we're talking about for the brake switch light and the brown, white wire correct? 2) I'm not seeing the white box marked "BRAKE". I do see two white boxes bolted to the back of the fuse panel to my left. Can someone tell me exactly where this is? 3) Found plug next to steering column that was unused so I punched through my black/white power wires and will not have a problem routing to battery.....I should have a circuit breaker in there and not run directly to battery or is it ok to run straight to battery? Thanks all in advance. WWV

Author:	LibertyCRD [ Thu Jun 01, 2006 7:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Brake installation-----help
WWV wrote: Haven't done this before, I'm a little unsure of myself so a little patience please. When you say "IF you have the factory towing package, the "BRAKE" wire is located behind the driver side kick panel in a small white plastic box. It's flagged "BRAKE" so you can't miss it. The power and ground both run to the battery. And then lastly the brake switch light is spliced into the brown/white wire in the brake pedal harness. As far as mounting the unit itself...I put mine under the dash and it was fine for me (I'm 6'4") but it might not be fine for everyone there. Just pick a spot where you can get to it easily of course." I have the following questions: 1) I see the white box with the plunger to turn the brake lights on and off. That's the one we're talking about for the brake switch light and the brown, white wire correct? 2) I'm not seeing the white box marked "BRAKE". I do see two white boxes bolted to the back of the fuse panel to my left. Can someone tell me exactly where this is? 3) Found plug next to steering column that was unused so I punched through my black/white power wires and will not have a problem routing to battery.....I should have a circuit breaker in there and not run directly to battery or is it ok to run straight to battery? Thanks all in advance. WWV 1) The harness that plugs into the top of the brake pedal itself has many wires running into it. You can unhook this harness from the brake pedal so you can work with it easier. One of the wires is brown/white. That is the one I tapped into for the brake light switch. 2) The other wire flagged "BRAKE" is behind the kick panel. That is the plastic panel that surrounds the hood latch release, etc. You have to remove that kick panel in the bottom drivers side and then back there is a bunch of wires running through a small white plastic box. The BRAKE wire was folded up and hidden inside that mess of wires in that white box. After opening the box I found it. I was glad it had "BRAKE" flagged on it. Tap into that one for the correct signal there. 3) Yes you want to run a 30 amp fuse in line with the power wire just to be safe. Hope I answered your question.

Author:	WWV [ Thu Jun 01, 2006 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:	Thanks to LibertyCRD
All, What a royal pain to get to that brake wire! Thanks to "LibertyCRD", I was finally able to locate it. If anyone is looking to install, let me know and I'll try to walk you through it as LibertyCRD did for me. Maybe I can help you avoid my mistakes and wasted hours locating things...........ah what the heck here it is for future reference. 1) two screws remove bottom plate above brake and gas pedal. Just lower down, don't try to snap off padding next to firewall. 2) panel underneath steering wheel snaps off at top of panel and pivots down towards you. 3) There's a blank rubber plug to the right of steering column in the firewall that you can punch through to get power wires to battery and frame. 4) White box that controls lights on top of brake pedal lever will come off with twist and pull. You'll have to remove some elec tape to get to brown and white wire. Once there, easy to splice into that cable. 5) Panel to your left that goes around hood release comes off pretty easy, just pull straight out from top. Remove floor carpet before hand, that little bit of clearance makes a difference. This panel will have one connection to the interior trim at bottom of door. It all snaps a part easily. 6) The white box is all the way towards the front of vehicle next to firewall. It is longer up and down than it is wide. There are three snaps but only the bottom two are really connected to anything. The top one is for looks but there is electrical tape right near the top that has to be cut(be careful, wires nearby!!!). Once you get that box open, there is a wire with white tape marked "Elec Brake". That's the holy grail wire you want. I believe it's red but the tape is the give away. 7) There is a hole in the bottom of the bottom cover that you can run all the wire through. Pick up 30 amp circuit at Checker auto or other. Should run about $4. This goes on your power (+) wire to battery. Hope this helps somebody. It was an adventure. WWV

Author:	Stan Wright [ Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:36 am ]
Post subject:
Great write up! It'll be helpful when I install my brake controller.

Author:	SteveInMD [ Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:28 am ]
Post subject:
WWV - Where did you end up mounting the controller? I was thinking in on the side between the parking brake handle and the 4WD handle might be out of the way of knees, etc.

Author:	WWV [ Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:28 am ]
Post subject:	mount location
SteveInMD wrote: WWV - Where did you end up mounting the controller? I was thinking in on the side between the parking brake handle and the 4WD handle might be out of the way of knees, etc. I've seen a picture on this forum that had it mounted where you say you might put yours. I ended going with the lower left left. Mounted the bracket just under where the curve starts. Another poster said he was 6' 4" and didn't have any problems with it there. I've only got in and out a couple times and haven't had a problem .....yet. WWV

Author:	Cowcatcher [ Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:29 am ]
Post subject:
I have seen a couple of pictures of the console mount but I don't really like that location. Can you dash mount folks post some picture of where you mounted the control so we can see them? Thanks in advance.

Author:	SteveInMD [ Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:
"I ended going with the lower left left. Mounted the bracket just under where the curve starts. " Anyway you can post a picture? I'm not sure what you mean here.

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Author:	WWV [ Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:
As you start down on the left hand side of the dash board, it begins to curve and run towards the firewall. As you round the corner starting towards the firewall. Best description I can give. PM me with an email address and I'll try to send pic. Unless someone out there has a place I can post a pic. WWV

Author:	0311_DoC [ Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:
www.imageshack.com FREE FREE FREE

Author:	Cowcatcher [ Sat Jun 03, 2006 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:
I may be checking back here for tips as I ordered my Tenkosha Prodigy yesterday! I will probably mount in the same area but to the right of the steering column as I believe I will bump it less there. I need to make sure that I leave enough space that it doesn't interfer with what appears to be the diagnostic port there though.

Author:	vwbill [ Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:16 pm ]
Post subject:
I just got a brake controller to install. I see most mount them in front of the shifter or next to the steering wheel. Has anyone put one over the rear view mirror on the headliner? Is there a metal channel to screw into? then run the wires across and down the "A" piller. Any thoughts or suggestions? William

Author:	Cowcatcher [ Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:25 am ]
Post subject:
vwbill wrote: I just got a brake controller to install. I see most mount them in front of the shifter or next to the steering wheel. Has anyone put one over the rear view mirror on the headliner? Is there a metal channel to screw into? then run the wires across and down the "A" piller. Any thoughts or suggestions? William It would be handy if there were only one wire but perhaps a little more of a challenge with 4. If you purchase a Prodigy you would not be able to see the display well up that high either and it needs to mount somewhere between about 5 degrees to 85 degrees as I recall. It can tip up to not quite verticle and down to not quite horizontal. I believe you will find this to be true of most brake controllers.

Author:	alljeep [ Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Thanks to LibertyCRD
WWV wrote: 3) There's a blank rubber plug to the right of steering column in the firewall that you can punch through to get power wires to battery and frame. I realize this instruction is pretty specific that I quoted, but I still can not find this rubber plug. Is it directly to the right of the steering column firewall hole? Up and to the right? Down and to the right? I've been in my garage looking with a flashlight for 45 minutes and can not find it. What the fuhell is wrong with me or my jeep??? Sorry to dig up this old post, but I had printed it out to help install my Prodigy but I'm not going to start my install until I can see everything I need to do.